Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone the 'deluxe' illustrated version to cost £150

Ardent Harry Potter fans will soon be able to retire their much-thumbed copies of The Philosopher’s Stone and invest in a “deluxe” illustrated version of JK Rowling’s first novel.

However, readers might want to raid their Gringotts accounts as the beautiful tome with artwork by Jim Kay is priced at a whopping £150.

On 6 October Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – Deluxe Illustrated Edition will be published alongside a more affordable £30 version also illustrated by Kay.

Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy and Rubeus Hagrid can be seen in the first pictures but we are yet to see Kay’s interpretation of the Chosen One himself, Harry.

“To be given the opportunity to design the characters, the clothing, the architecture and landscapes to possibly the most expansive fantasy world in children’s literature, well, let’s just say I’m extremely excited about it,” Kay said earlier this year.

“The story is everything and so I want to bring what I can to really show the depth of Rowling’s stories to their best.”

Bloomsbury first announced its intention to produce illustrated editions of the seven Potter books in 2013 and shared three of Kay’s illustrations in January.

“We are on schedule to publish the Illustrated Edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone on 6 October,” the publisher said in its first quarter trading update for investors today, adding: “Rights in the illustrations have already been sold in 24 languages.”

Philosopher's Stone deluxe edition

The hardback will include a ribbon marker, head and tail bands, illustrated endpapers and artwork on every spread.

The "deluxe" version will feature a "pull-out double gatefold of Diagon Alley" and will include "intricate foiled line art by Kay on a real cloth cover and slipcase" and "gilt edges on premium grade paper."